I-864 document checklist

Sponsor identity

Proof of sponsor identity and status

Sponsor photo IDRequiredUS passport, driver's license, or government ID
Proof of Citizenship/LPR statusRequiredUS passport, naturalization cert, or green card

Income evidence

Proof of income meeting 125% of federal poverty guidelines

Federal tax returns (3 years)RequiredMost recent 3 years of federal income tax returns with all schedulesInclude complete returns - all pages, schedules, and W-2s. The most recent year is most important.
W-2 Forms (3 years)RequiredW-2 wage statements for most recent 3 years
IRS tax transcriptsIf It AppliesOfficial transcripts from IRS (optional but helpful)Some attorneys recommend including IRS transcripts in addition to returns.
Employment verification letterRequiredOn letterhead, stating position, salary, start dateMust be recent (within 30-60 days), on company letterhead.
Recent pay stubs (6 months)RequiredLast 6 months of pay stubs from current employer
Self-employment evidenceIf It Applies1099s, business tax returns, profit and loss statementOnly if the answer is yes: Is the sponsor self-employed?

Assets (if income insufficient)

Assets can make up an income shortfall - they must equal 5 times the shortfall (3 times if a U.S. citizen sponsors a spouse or a child 18 or older; 1 time for an orphan to be adopted in the U.S.)

Bank account statementsIf It AppliesLast 12 months of savings/checking statementsOnly if the answer is yes: Does the sponsor need to use assets to meet the requirement?Assets must be easily converted to cash. Their value must be 5 times the shortfall between the sponsor's income and 125% of the poverty guidelines - 3 times if a U.S. citizen is sponsoring a spouse or a child 18 or older, or 1 time for an orphan to be adopted in the U.S.
Real estate appraisalIf It AppliesAppraisal of owned property with mortgage statementOnly if the answer is yes: Does the sponsor need to use assets to meet the requirement?
Investment account statementsIf It AppliesBrokerage, retirement, or other investment accountsOnly if the answer is yes: Does the sponsor need to use assets to meet the requirement?

Joint sponsor (if needed)

Additional sponsor if primary cannot meet threshold

Joint sponsor I-864If It AppliesSeparate completed I-864 from the joint sponsorOnly if the answer is yes: Is a joint sponsor needed?
Joint sponsor financial documentsIf It AppliesTax returns, W-2s, employment letter, pay stubs for joint sponsorOnly if the answer is yes: Is a joint sponsor needed?Joint sponsor needs same financial evidence as primary sponsor.

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Document Checklist

I-864 - Affidavit of Support

Sponsor identity

Income evidence

Assets (if income insufficient)

Joint sponsor (if needed)